Battle of Altimarlach

According to James Tait Calder, George Sinclair, 6th Earl of Caithness, had sometime before his death in 1675 (or 1676) sold his estates to John Campbell, Lord Glenorchy, who was one of his principal creditors. According to William Anderson, in 1672, debt forced George Sinclair, 6th Earl of Caithness, to resign his titles and estates in favour of Sir John Campbell. Glenorchy married Caithness's widow, the Countess Dowager, who was also a daughter of Campbell, Earl of Argyll who in turn was a relation of Campbell of Glenorchy. Glenorchy then assumed the title of Earl of Caithness. However, according to Anderson, Glenorchy took possession of the estates on Sinclair's death in May 1676 and was created Earl of Caithness in June the following year. Glenorchy appointed Sir John Sinclair of Murkle as sheriff and justicary-depute of Caithness, as well as bailie of all the baronies on the Caithness estate, to secure an influential friend in the county. George Sinclair of Keiss, son of Francis Sinclair of Northfield, disputed Glenorchy's right to the title and especially to the lands of Northfield and Tister, which he had inherited from his father. According to Anderson, George Sinclair of Keiss disputed the claim and seized the land in 1678. The claims of both were submitted to the four most eminent lawyers in Scotland at the time: Sir George Mackenzie of Rosehaugh, Sir Robert Sinclair of Longformacus, Sir George Lockhart, Lord Carnwath and Sir John Cunningham, 1st Baronet. They decided in favour of Glenorchy and forwarded their decision to King James VII of Scotland, who then sent a letter to the Privy Council of Scotland that ordered it to issue a proclamation prohibiting George Sinclair of Kess from assuming the title of Earl of Caithness. However, Sinclair of Keiss paid no attention to that and not only retained possession of the lands, which he claimed by his own inheritance, but also annoyed Glenorchy's chamberlains so much that they found it extremely difficult to collect the rents. Almost all of the gentlemen in the county supported the cause of Sinclair of Keiss, in particular David Sinclair of Broynach and William Sinclair of Thura. They gave him all the aid in their power and even helped him to demolish the castle of Thurso East of which Glenorchy had taken possession. The common people were also friendly towards Sinclair of Keiss, and Glenorchy was looked upon as an usurper who had taken advantage of the necessities of the late Earl and cheated him out of his title and property. The Privy Council passed an Act on 11 November 1679, charging "haill kin, friends and followers of John, Earl of Caithness, to concuurr and assist" in recovering the lands that were in dispute. ==Battle==

According to Calder, the following summer, in 1680, Glenorchy invaded Caithness with 700 men. According to Thomas Sinclair, Glenorchy set off from Taymouth Castle in Perthshire for Caithness with 500 well-armed men. Sinclair of Keiss, upon hearing that the Campbells were passing through Braemore, which is on the confines of the county, resolved to meet them in open field. According to Calder, Sinclair collected about 800 followers but that some accounts say that he had 1500. Many of Sinclair's men, however, were old, untrained and totally destitute of any knowledge of military tactics. According to Peter Campbell, 80 Sinclairs were killed in the battle. According to Ronald William Saint-Clair (Sinclair), as many as 200 "Caithnessmen" (Sinclairs) were reported to have fallen in the battle. Thomas Sinclair stated that the Hon. David Sinclair, Major Sinclair of Thura, with many other gentlemen, and a great number of inferior note fell in the action. ==Aftermath==

Glenorchy and some of his troops remained in Caithness for some time, levied rents and taxes on the people and subjected them to the most grievous oppression. He sent the remainder home immediately after the battle. Having failed to regain his inheritance by force, Sinclair of Keiss then turned to the law. ==The last clan battle==

which states that the Battle of Altimarlach was the "last clan battle". However, the Battle of Mulroy which took place in 1688, between the Mackintoshes and Mackenzies against the MacDonalds and Camerons, is another contender as being the last of the private clan battles between Scottish clans The Battle of Mulroy which was fought in 1688 between the Mackintoshes and MacDonalds is sometimes described as being the last of the private clan battles fought between Scottish clans. However, this is perhaps inaccurate as the Mackintoshes had official government support for their actions against the MacDonalds and their army was in part made up of government troops from an Independent Highland Company under Mackenzie of Suddie. This would therefore leave the Battle of Altimarlach, fought in 1680 between the Campbells and Sinclairs, as the last true clan battle. ==Pipe music==

Men of the Clan MacIver of Argyll who were a sept of the Clan Campbell apparently joined up with the MacIvers of Caithness in support of Glenorchy and although only forming a small part of his force, contributed their full share to its success. According to tradition, the piper of the clan in Caithness, Finlay MacIver, composed the Great Highland bagpipe tune, Bodach-na-briogais, which was inspired by the battle. According to the New Statistical Account of Scotland, the tune The Braes of Glenorchy also obtained its name at this time. ==Ballad==

A ballad commemorating the battle was published in 1861 by historian James Tait Calder: The Battle of Altimarlach: A Ballad 'Twas morn; from rustic cot and grange The cock's shrill clarion rung; And fresh on every sweet wild flower The pearly dew-drop hung. Given up to thoughtless revelry, In Wick lay Sinclair's band, When suddenly the cry arose, "Glenorchy's close at hand!" For now the Campbell's haughty chief The river Wick had crossed, With twice seven hundred Highlanders A fierce and lawless host. "To arms! To arms!" from street to lane The summons fast did go; And forth the gathered Sinclairs marched To meet the coming foe. Where Altimarlach opens up Its narrow, deep ravine, Glenorchy's force, in order ranged, Were strongly posted seen. They meet, they close in deadly strife, But brief the bloody fray; Before the Campbell's furious charge The Caithness ranks gave way. Flushed with success, Glenorchy's men Set up a savage cheer, And drove the Sinclairs panic-struck Into the river near. There, 'neath the Cambell's ruthless blade Fell more than on the plain, Until the blood-dyed stream across Was choked up with the slain. But who might paint the flood of grief That burst from young and old, When to the slaughtered Sinclair's friends The direful tale was told! The shrieking mother wrung her hands, The maiden tore her hair, And ll was lamentation loud, And terror, and despair. Short time Glenorchy Caithness ruled, By every rank abhorred; He lost the title he usurped, Then fled across the Ord. While Keiss, who firm upheld his claim Against tyrannic might, Obtained the Sinclair's coronet Which was his own by right; The coronet which William wore, Who loved his Prince so well, And with his brave devoted band On fatal Flodden fell. ==References==